Belgium: Incidents and abandoned match between Standard and Charleroi in Liège

It is not only in Ligue 1 that overflows are observed. While Charleroi led 3-0 against Standard on Sunday, in the Belgian championship, the referee sent the players back to the locker room while several local supporters returned to the pitch in front of the stand occupied by the “carolos” fans, forcing several dozen police officers to intervene. The meeting had already been temporarily interrupted shortly after the hour mark after the first throws of pyrotechnic devices in the direction of the players, the “Rouches” supporters not hesitating to target their own goalkeeper, Arnaud Bodart.

According to several local media, the clashes were not limited to the stadium. According to The Last Hour / Sports, after the end of the meeting, a few hundred supporters went to the entrance to the main stand, where the Liège leaders were. They threw all the objects they had at their disposal (flags, barriers, etc.) at the police officers and stewards present. The police then responded with tear gas. The Standard, which risks heavy sanctions, has been experiencing a sporting and financial crisis for several weeks.

“Criminal” behavior

The Professional League condemned “firmly” these incidents, mentioning in a press release sent to AFP “unacceptable or even criminal behavior”. The Liège club, traditionally one of the top names in the Pro League, occupies only 13th place in the standings while Charleroi is in fourth position in a championship currently dominated by Union Saint-Gilloise, promoted to D1 this season. . Earlier in the day on Sunday, another match was also punctuated by incidents between supporters. During the Antwerp derby between Beerschot and Antwerp, a supporter of Antwerp crossed the pitch to throw a smoke bomb in a stand occupied by local fans.